The Issue: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent ban on American adoptions of Russian children.

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If there was ever any doubt, Russian President Vladimir Putin has demonstrated that he is an extraordinarily heartless, cruel and dangerous man (“And the Kids Suffer,” Naomi Schaefer Riley, PostOpinion, Jan. 2).

Putin has banned the adoption of Russian children by Americans. In doing so, he no doubt will condemn a legion of children to be orphans.

Why is Putin cutting off his nose to spite his face, using Russian children as pawns? Because he is enraged by American efforts to crack down on Russian human-rights abuses.

Putin’s foolish and juvenile actions have created a backlash not only throughout the civilized world, but within the political hierarchy of his own nation.

It is obvious that any American leader attempting to deal with the Russian dictator will have his hands full.

Putin is a reckless bully who prefers that children in need of responsible parents remain without a permanent home.

President Obama should tell Putin that if he doesn’t allow Russian children who are living in orphanages to be adopted by Americans, he can keep everyone else there too who wants to come to America and live the American dream, which includes Medicaid, food stamps, housing and all the other amenities we give them.

Gustav Abbaheusan

Queens

One of the most horrible stories of the year is Putin’s denying any more American adoptions of Russian children.

In March, Obama told outoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev he’d have more flexibility after re-election. We desperately needed a president with the common sense to know who our allies and enemies are. Obama always mixes them up.